William heney young



(No Model.)

W. H. YOUNG. TROUSERS STRBTGHER.

No. 373,120. Patented Nov. 15. 1887.

N. Pzq'zns, Photo-Liihognpher, Wnhinglcn. n. c.

YATES UNITED TROUSERS-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 873,120, dated November 15, 1887.

Application filed July 16, 1887. Serial N 0. 244,586. (No model.) I

.To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM HENRY YOUNG, of New York, in the county of New York and State of, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in OlothesStretch ers; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use sists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the stretching apparatus complete and in position for use. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is adetached view of the stretching-clamps turned in various relative positions.- Fig. 4. are sectional views of the clamps, also showing them in various related positions. Fig.5 shows modified forms of tension-connections, and Fig. 6 shows several forms of shapers used.

D represents a distender-rod having loops or slides s, in which the lapping ends of the sections loosely slide, and one section is provided with a series of perforations, f, and the other with an attached pin, 19,- adapted to enter different perforations in holding the bar at various adjustments. This distenderrod might be in a single piece. The two clamps, consisting each of bars B O, are located at opposite ends of the bar D, are preferably of equal length and somewhat longer than the breadth of the fabric as folded for Stretching, and are angular in transverse section, subject to the modifications as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, that one face of each clamp may be advantageously rounded and that the different faces of the bars may be variedin breadth to give a varying space between them as their different faces are presented to each other to hold different thicknesses of fabric, as illustrated in Fig. 4. At short distances from the ends of the clamping-bars shoulders 9 may be formed, andfrom this point to the extreme ends the bars are tapering, to allow the folded edges of the fabric while being held without a shaper to have free space and not be given a crease by the clamp pressure, to further in-' crease the spaces between the clampingbars for receiving the shapers, to give a limited space for the flexible rings a", and yet by means ofthe shoulders g to prevent them from sliding against the fabric; and the tapering ends are preferably of such position with relationto the remaining portion of the bars as. to be located nearer one of the narrower faces of the bars to permit a further variation of space between the bars.

But-tons b are secured on the extreme ends of all the tapering ends of the clam ping-bars except one, for the purpose of preventing the rings 0" from slipping 01f too easily, and omitted on this particular one to allow the clamping-bars to be readily opened. Loops. may also be used for this same purpose, if desired, or they may be used in place of the buttons, one being usually omitted for the same reason that one button is dispensed with.

The tension-connections cc connect the rings 1" loosely and are of just sufficient length to permit one ring to he slipped off the end i,

which has neither button nor loop. The upper connector is adapted to be suspended on a hook or in a notch, O, in the upper end of the extensible bar D, while the lower connectoris terial, and sheet metal is desirable or heavy pasteboard, these particular ones being especially designed for trousers-legs, ankles, sleeves, and hose, respectively. These may or may not be employed in the operation of stretching; but I find them desirable in combined longitudinal and lateral stretching. They may be of single pieces or" of two or three pieces hinged together.

The operation of the apparatus is performed in the following manner: For longitudinal stretching, the fabric being evenly folded and the clamps opened, I insert the feet of the trousers or hose or other article smoothly within a pair of clamping-bars, observing to place the broader faces which have no loops toward each other, their higher shoulders toward the middle of the part to be stretched and the connector turned from or opposite these higher shoulders, when the bars are closed, the ring slipped on the free tapering end of the bar, and one or both bars revolved, if necessary, to partly clamp the fabric. The other clamp is similarly arranged on the upper portion of the part to be stretched. \Vhen thus arranged, a slight careful tension by the hands on the connectors tightens the rings, clamps the fabric, and all may be attached to the distender or suitably-arranged hooks, or

otherwise,in a wardrobe or elsewhere, the series of fastenings on the attacher serving to secure greater or less tension. The whole may be hung on a hook, laid in a drawer, on a shelf, orin a trunk for travel, &c. The distenderbar being dispensed with, one connector may be hung on an upper hook or peg, and the other fastened by its attacher under tension to a lower hook or other fastening. For reduced length to carry in a traveling-bag. the part to be stretched may be folded at its middle, bringing its extremities together in one clamp (as the feet and upper part of trousers) and placing the other clamp wholly within the fold, arranging that the fold shall rest against the rounded side of a bar.

For combined longitudinal stretching and lateral stretching and shaping, a shaper is first inserted and then the clamps applied as before, one clamp grasping the shaper, the other not doing so.

It is evident that slight changes might be resorted to in the form and arrangement of the several parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Hence I do not wish to limit myself to the particular construction herein set forth; but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with clamping-bars having faces of different breadths and adapted to be secured together in different relative positions, and also provided with tapering ends, of rings loosely clasping the ends and enlargements upon said ends for preventing the rings from becoming accidentally displaced, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with holding-clamps consisting, essentially, of a pair of clampingbars each member of which is rectangular in cross-section and provided with tapering ends, said tapering portions being nearer to one face than the other faces, of a sectional bar to which said clamps are secured, the said bar adapted to be lengthened or shortened and the sections locked in any desired adjustment, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with holding clamps consisting, essentially, of a pair of clampingbars each member 'of which is rectangular in cross-section and provided with tapering ends, said tapering portions being nearer to one face than to the other, and clasping-rings connecting the clamps and flexible devices connecting the rings, of a sectional bar to which said flexible devices are attached, the said bar adapted to be lengthened or shortened and the sections locked in any desired adjustment, substantially as set forth.

4. Holding-clamps consisting, essentially, of a pair of clamping-bars each member of which is rectangular in cross-section and provided with tapering ends, said tapering portions being nearer to one face than to the remaining faces, for the purpose substantially as set forth.

5. Holding-clamps consisting, essentially, of a pair of clamping-bars each having a series of contiguous faces of different widths, said faces having tapering ends, and flexible devices for securing said bars together, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

\VILLIAM HENRY YOUNG.

\Vitncsses:

J OHN A. Krona, B10111). T. CLARKE. 

